Suraj Narred's ambition at Ascot gets fulfilled in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup event in Dubai.
In the world of international horse racing, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is a highly anticipated event. This year, the competition is set to be even more exciting as Suraj Narredu, an Indian jockey, takes on the role of captain for Team Asia.
Narredu's participation in the 2025 Shergar Cup holds significant historical and emotional value. He becomes the first Indian jockey to lead a team at the prestigious Royal Ascot racecourse, a feat that marks a major milestone for Indian horse racing.
Remembered for his victory in the Shergar Cup Stayers event in 2023, where he guided the horse Fireblade to victory, Narredu dedicated this win to India, elevating the pride of the Indian racing fraternity.
The emotional return to Ascot Racecourse for Narredu is a fulfillment of a lifelong dream. As a boy, he watched videos of his idol, Frankie Dettori, and was inspired by Dettori's legendary "Magnificent Seven"—seven consecutive wins at Ascot in 1996. Emulating Dettori, Narredu performed the iconic "flying dismount" leap after his win, symbolizing a full-circle moment in his career and honoring the jockey who inspired him.
Under Narredu's leadership, Team Asia narrowly won the jockeys' contest at the Shergar Cup with a total of 68 points, edging out Team Europe by a single point (67). This tight victory highlighted Narredu’s effective captaincy and competitive spirit on an international stage.
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, features four teams of three riders each representing Asia, Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and the Rest of the World. This year, the competition includes a new team, Asia, with Narredu joined by Ryusei Sakai from Japan and Mirai Iwata, winner of the 2023 World All-Star Jockeys title.
Other notable riders competing in the 2025 Shergar Cup include Dario Di Tocco from Italy (Team Europe), Katie Davis from the USA (ROW team), Per-Anders Gråberg from Sweden (Team Europe captain), Delphine Santiago from France (Team Europe), Hugh Bowman from Australia (ROW team), Robbie Dolan from Ireland (Great Britain & Ireland team), Hollie Doyle from Great Britain (Great Britain & Ireland team captain), and Joanna Mason from Great Britain & Ireland.
The riders will compete individually over six races to score points, with the highest scoring team winning a share of the total purse of £500,000. As Narredu prepares for the competition, he focuses on fitness and avoiding injury, aiming to elevate Indian racing onto the international stage with his performance.
As the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup approaches, the racing world eagerly awaits Narredu's historic journey, hoping to witness the continued growth and recognition of Indian horse racing on a global stage.
- The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, historically a prestigious international horse racing event, marks a significant emotional and historical value for Suraj Narredu, as he prepares to lead Team Asia in 2025.
- In the world of news, Narredu's participation as the first Indian jockey to captain a team at the Royal Ascot racecourse, known for hosting the Shergar Cup, has elevated the visibility of Indian horse racing.
- As entertainment, the 2025 Shergar Cup promises an exciting competition, with Narredu's lifelong dream of racing at Ascot fulfilled, which he achieved by emulating racing legend Frankie Dettori's iconic "Magnificent Seven" feat.
- The lifestyle of horse racing enthusiasts is set to be enriched by following Narredu's journey, particularly in the business sector, as his successful race could potentially attract investment towards the growth of Indian horse racing.
